Opening Baku Energy Week 2026, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said the “world cannot live without fossil fuels,” while also insisting that countries “should be judged on how they invest in renewables.”
Speaking about Azerbaijan’s role in global energy markets, Aliyev said it was “difficult to imagine what the European market would look like without the South Caucasus,” underscoring the growing geopolitical importance of the Caspian region as Europe continues efforts to diversify energy supplies.
Azerbaijan's president stressed that while fossil fuels remain essential for economic stability and energy security, investment in renewable energy and cleaner technologies must accelerate in parallel.
What dominated discussions
Artificial intelligence, gas geopolitics and emissions reduction dominated the opening day of Baku Energy Week 2026 on Monday, as government officials, global energy executives and technology companies gathered across two major venues in Azerbaijan’s capital.
